Rights holder FOM has told broadcasters that on "safety" grounds it would "no longer allow personnel, including camera crews, pit-lane access during any session".

Written journalists, over whom FOM has no control, will still be permitted.

Cameraman hurt by flying wheel

The move will prevent reporters, such as the BBC's Gary Anderson, Tom Clarkson and Jennie Gow, from reporting from the pit lane during practice sessions, and cameramen from filming at the same time.

But it will not stop other journalists and stills photographers from being in the pit lane during the sessions.

Cameraman Paul Allen suffered a broken collarbone and cracked ribs after being knocked by the wheel. The following day governing body the FIA
banned
anyone other than marshals and team personnel from the pit lane during qualifying and the race, with "approved media" to be confined to the pit wall.

The FIA is studying the situation and looking at what the best way to proceed beyond its initial response, imposed as the simplest way to increase safety in the short term.

Analysis

Andrew BensonChief F1 writer

The FIA's decision to ban the media from pit lanes during qualifying and race has been questioned on the basis that it is reacting to the effect of the incident in Germany and not the cause.

The cameraman who was hit by Mark Webber's loose wheel, Paul Allen, suffered a broken collarbone and cracked ribs.

But critics of the decision have pointed out that the wheel could just as easily have hit a mechanic from another team, or even one of the team bosses and senior engineers on the pit wall, all of whom will still be in the pit lane at the next race.

No protective gear is being required of the personnel on the pit wall; only those working in the pit lane are being required to wear head protection.

A senior F1 insider described FOM's decision to ban television companies from the pit lane during practices sessions, when the atmosphere is less frenetic and teams are generally working on their cars only in their garages, as "unnecessary, as long as we do other things as well [to improve safety]".

Meanwhile, the FIA has received a report from Red Bull explaining the cause of the incident which was blamed on human error.

Red Bull said the individual using the wheel gun's finger slipped on to the button he should press to indicate he is finished. That signals to the mechanics operating the jacks that they can lower the car, which triggers the driver to go.

As a consequence of the incident, Red Bull will introduce a safeguard on the technology in an attempt to prevent a repeat. Their report has been circulated to the other teams so they can instigate similar changes if they have similar systems.

The FIA has also introduced rule changes that will require personnel working on a car during a pit stop to wear head protection and reduce the pit lane speed limit from 100km/h (62mph) to 80km/h (49.7mph).

Set a minimum pit stop time of, say, 5 seconds from the time the crew have indicated they have completed all work. 2.5s of actual work would result in a 7.5s stop and 5s of actual work would result in a 10s stop. Both stops have 5s of breathing space.

They already start with a full tank of fuel that will last them to the end of the race, providing they don't thrash it every lap. Why not develop tyres with a similar goal? Make the drivers manage their race and choose when to push.

The fast pit stops are the problem and the system which tells the driver to be released is the issue. Anyone in that pit lane could have been hit, whether it be a cameraman or a mechanic. It's not the root cause of the problem. It's a shame because having a pit lane reporter enhances the experience for the fans. F1 should go back to having a lollipop man for each team as well as the lights system

I do think its about time after this accident Remember 1994 German Grand Prix and Jos Verstappen could you imagine if a cameraman had been close to that car when it had gone up...I think its right they have finally done this

This might sound like a stupid idea but.. Why not have a mandatory pit stop time of say 8 seconds. This way all of the pit crews are not putting themselves under immense pressure to beat the 3 second mark to send their driver on there way. I know time can be won/lost in a pit stop but if everyone had to wait at least 6/8 seconds you would cut down on the amount of pit stop errors, due to stress!

The cameraman was very lucky he was not killed.The cameraman did not have all his senses to hand as his back was to the incident, holding a camera, looking the other way and focusing on his job. Bernie and co are lucky a law suit is not on route for not protecting all people in the pit lane.......dare I say,risk assessment!!!

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